Highly active supported catalyst compositions

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to metallocene catalyst compositions which are highly active for the polymerization of olefins, particularly prochiral α-olefins. The catalyst compositions contain at least one metallocene, and least one activator and a support that has been fluorided using a fluoride containing compound.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a Divisional application of and claim priority to, U.S. Ser. No. 09/339,128, filed on Jun. 24, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,368,999 which claims priority to Provisional Patent Application U.S. Ser. No. 60/098,007.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates generally to supported catalysts, and more particularly to supported metallocene catalysts and methods for their production and use.

BACKGROUND

Metallocene catalyst systems and their use for olefin polymerization are well known. Metallocene catalysts are single-sited and differently activated compared to conventional Ziegler-Natta catalysts. A typical metallocene catalyst system includes a metallocene catalyst, a support, and an activator. Upon attaching or “fixing” the catalyst to the support, the catalyst is generally referred to as a supported catalyst. For many polymerization processes, supported catalysts are required, and various methods for attaching metallocene catalysts to a support are known in the art. Supports suitable for use with metallocene catalyst are generally porous materials and can include organic materials, inorganic materials and inorganic oxides.

However, many supports contain reactive functionalities. In some instances, these reactive functionalities may deactivate or reduce the activity of the catalyst fixed to the support. When this occurs, the addition of more catalyst to the catalyst system may be necessary to ensure sufficient polymer production during olefin polymerization. Increasing the catalyst concentration in the catalyst system to compensate for activity reduction caused by reactive functionalities is generally undesirable for many reasons. For instance, generally the addition of more catalyst may also require the addition of more activator. As such, increasing the concentrations of both catalyst and activator to overcome the effects of catalyst deactivation by reactive functionalities substantially increases the cost of olefin polymerization.

Hydroxyl groups are an example of a reactive functionality present on some supports which deactivate metallocene catalysts. Hydroxyl groups are present on supports, such as inorganic oxides. An example of an inorganic oxide is silica gel. As such, when using silica gel to support a metallocene catalyst, it is desirable to remove, reduce or render inactive a sufficient number of the hydroxyl groups. Methods of removing or reducing hydroxyl groups include thermal and/or chemical treatments. The removal of hydroxyl groups is known as dehydroxylation.

Thermally treating or heating the support material generally avoids contamination of the support by undesirable chemicals. However, in the case of many porous supports, such as silica gel, heating the support may fail to achieve sufficient dehydroxylation. Chemically treating the support material can be expensive and may result in contamination of the support.

Thus, there remains a need for increasing the activity of supported metallocene catalyst systems. Particularly, there remains a need for improved supported metallocene catalysts wherein the reactive functionalities of the support are reduced and/or deactivated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a highly active metallocene supported catalyst composition. Generally, the inventor has discovered that when at least one metallocene catalyst is bound to a fluorided support, the activity of this metallocene supported catalyst composition is higher compared to the activity of the same metallocene catalyst bound to a non-fluorided support. These non-fluorided supports included supports to which no fluorine was added or a halide other than fluorine was added.

In one embodiment, the metallocene supported catalyst composition includes a metallocene catalyst and a support composition. The support composition may be represented by the formula: Sup F, wherein Sup is a support, and F is a fluorine atom bound to the support. The support composition may be a fluorided support composition.

In another embodiment, the metallocene supported catalyst composition includes a support composition represented by the formula: Sup L F_(n). “Sup” may further be defined as a support selected from the group which includes talc, clay, silica, alumina, magnesia, zirconia, iron oxides, boria, calcium oxide, zinc oxide, barium oxide, thoria, aluminum phosphate gel, polyvinylchloride and substituted polystyrene and mixtures thereof.

“L” is a first member selected from the group which includes (i) bonding, sufficient to bound the F to the Sup; (ii) B, Ta, Nb, Ge, Ga, Sn, Si, P, Ti, Mo, Re, or Zr bound to the Sup and to the F; and (iii) O bound to the Sup and bound to a second member selected from the group consisting of B, Ta, Nb, Ge, Ga, Sn, Si, P, Ti, Mo, Re, or Zr which is bound to the F;

-   -   “F” is a fluorine atom; and     -   “n” is a number from 1-7.

The support composition desirably may be a fluorided support composition. The metallocene supported catalyst composition may also include boron and may also include an activator, such as alkylalumoxane or MAO or haloaryl boron or aluminum compounds.

The metallocene catalyst may be represented by the formula: Cp_(m)MR_(n)X_(q), wherein Cp is a cyclopentadienyl ring which may be substituted, or derivative thereof which may be substituted, M is a Group 4, 5, or 6 transition metal, R is a hydrocarbyl group or hydrocarboxy group having from one to 20 carbon atoms, X may be a halide, a hydride, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group or an arylalkyl group, and m=1-3, n=0-3, q=0-3, and the sum of m+n+q is equal to the oxidation state of the transition metal.

The present invention also provides a method of making the metallocene supported catalyst composition. The method step includes contacting the metallocene catalyst with a support composition, desirably a fluorided support composition, under suitable conditions and for a sufficient time, wherein the support composition is represented by the formula Sup L F_(n). The support composition, and particularly the fluorided support composition, may be made by contacting a hydroxyl group containing support material with at least one inorganic fluoride under suitable conditions and for a sufficient time wherein the fluoride becomes bound to the support.

The present invention also provides an olefin polymerization method. The steps of the olefin polymerization method include contacting a polymerizable olefin with the metallocene supported catalyst composition under suitable conditions and for a sufficient time. Desirably, the polymerizable material is propylene. The polymerizable olefin may be formed into numerous articles, such as, for example, films, fibers, fabrics, and molded structures.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to metallocene catalyst compositions comprising the reaction product of at least three components: (1) one or more metallocenes; (2) one or more activators; and (3) one or more fluorided support compositions.

As used herein, the phrase “fluorided support composition” means a support, desirably particulate and porous, which has been treated with at least one inorganic fluorine containing compound. For example, the fluorided support composition can be a silicon dioxide support wherein a portion of the silica hydroxyl groups has been replaced with fluorine or fluorine containing compounds.

As used herein, the term “support composition” means a support, desirably particulate and porous, which has been treated with at least one fluorine containing compound. Suitable fluorine containing compounds include, but are not limited to, inorganic fluorine containing compounds and/or organic fluorine containing compounds.

In the specification, including the examples certain abbreviations may be used to facilitate the description. These may include: Me=methyl, Et=ethyl, Bu =butyl, Ph=phenyl, Cp=cyclopentadienyl, Cp*=pentamethyl cyclopentadienyl, Ind=indenyl, Ti=titanium, Hf=hafnium, Zr=zirconium, O=oxygen, Si=silicon B=boron, Ta=tantalum, Nb=niobium, Ge=germanium, Mg=magnesium, Al=aluminum, Fe=iron, Th=thorium, Ga=gallium, P=phosphorus, Mo=molybdenum, Re=rhenium, and Sn=tin.

Supports

Supports suitable for use in this invention are generally porous materials and can include organic materials, inorganic materials and inorganic oxides. Desirably, supports suitable for use in this invention include talc, clay, silica, alumina, magnesia, zirconia, iron oxides, boria, calcium oxide, zinc oxide, barium oxide, thoria, aluminum phosphate gel, polyvinylchloride and substituted polystyrene and mixtures thereof.

Particulate silicon dioxide materials are well known and are commercially available from a number of commercial suppliers. Desirably the silicon dioxide used herein is porous and has a surface area in the range of from about 10 to about 700 m²/g, a total pore volume in the range of from about 0.1 to about 4.0 cc/g and an average particle diameter in the range of from about 10 to about 500 μm. More desirably, the surface area is in the range of from about 50 to about 500 m²/g, the pore volume is in the range of from about 0.5 to about 3.5 cc/g and the average particle diameter is in the range of from about 15 to about 150 μm. Most desirably the surface area is in the range of from about 100 to about 400 m²/g, the pore volume is in the range of from about 0.8 to about 3.0 cc/g and the average particle diameter is in the range of from about 20 to about 100 μm. The average pore diameter of typical porous silicon dioxide support materials is in the range of from about 10 to about 1000 Å. Desirably, the support material has an average pore diameter of from about 50 to about 500 Å, and most desirably from about 75 to about 350 Å.

Fluorine Compounds

The fluorine compounds suitable for providing fluorine for the support are desirably inorganic fluorine containing compounds. Such inorganic fluorine containing compounds may be any compound containing a fluorine atom as long as it does not contain a carbon atom. Particularly desirable are inorganic fluorine containing compounds selected from the group consisting of NH₄BF₄, (NH₄)₂SiF₆, NH₄PF₆, NH₄F, (NH₄)₂TaF₇, NH₄NbF₄, (NH₄)₂GeF₆, (NH₄)₂SmF₆, (NH₄)₂TiF₆, (NH₄)₂ZrF₆, MoF₆, ReF₆, GaF₃, SO₂ClF, F₂, SiF₄, SF₆, ClF₃, ClF ₅, BrF₅, IF₇, NF₃, HF, BF₃, NHF₂ and NH₄HF₂. Of these, ammonium hexafluorosilicate and ammonium tetrafluoroborate are more desirable.

Ammonium hexafluorosilicate and ammonium tetrafluoroborate fluorine compounds are typically solid particulates as are the silicon dioxide supports. A desirable method of treating the support with the fluorine compound is to dry mix the two components by simply blending at a concentration of from 0.01 to 10.0 millimole F/g of support, desirably in the range of from 0.05 to 6.0 millimole F/g of support, and most desirably in the range of from 0.1 to 3.0 millimole F/g of support. The fluorine compound can be dry mixed with the support either before or after charging to the vessel for dehydration or calcining the support. Accordingly, the fluorine concentration present on the support is in the range of from 0.6 to 3.5 wt % of support.

Another method of treating the support with the fluorine compound is to dissolve the fluorine in a solvent, such as water, and then contact the support with the fluorine containing solution. When water is used and silica is the support, it is desirable to use a quantity of water which is less than the total pore volume of the support.

Dehydration or calcining of the silica is not necessary prior to reaction with the fluorine compound. Desirably the reaction between the silica and fluorine compound is carried out at a temperature of from about 100° C. to about 1000° C., and more desirably from about 200° C. to about 600° C. for about two to eight hours.

In one embodiment, the resulting support composition may be generically represented by the formula: Sup F

“Sup” is a support, “F” is a fluorine atom bound to the support. The fluorine atom may be bound, directly or indirectly, chemically or physically to the support. An example of chemical or physical bonding would be covalent and ionic bonding, respectively. The support composition desirably may be a fluorided support composition.

In another embodiment, the resulting support composition, such as a fluorided support composition, may be generically represented by the formula: Sup L F_(n).

“Sup” is a support selected from the group which includes talc, clay, silica, alumina, magnesia, zirconia, iron oxides, boria, calcium oxide, zinc oxide, barium oxide, thoria, aluminum phosphate gel, polyvinylchloride and substituted polystyrene.

“L” is a first member selected from the group which includes (i) bonding, sufficient to bound the F to the Sup; (ii) B, Ta, Nb, Ge, Ga, Sn, Si, P, Ti, Mo, Re, or Zr bound to the Sup and to the F; and (iii) O bound to the Sup and bound to a second member selected from the group consisting of B, Ta, Nb, Ge, Ga, Sn, Si, P, Ti, Mo, Re, or Zr which is bound to the F;

-   -   “F” is a fluorine atom; and     -   “n” is a number from 1-7.

An example of such bonding sufficient to bound the F to the Sup would be chemical or physical bonding, such as, for example, covalent and ionic bonding. The support composition desirably may be a fluorided support composition.

Metallocenes

As used herein the term “metallocene” means one or more compounds represented by the formula Cp_(m)MR_(n)X_(q) wherein Cp is a cyclopentadienyl ring which may be substituted, or derivative thereof which may be substituted, M is a Group 4, 5, or 6 transition metal, for example titanium, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium, tantalum, chromium, molybdenum and tungsten, R is a hydrocarbyl group or hydrocarboxy group having from one to 20 carbon atoms, X may be a halide, a hydride, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group or an arylalkyl group, and m=1-3, n=0-3, q=0-3, and the sum of m+n+q is equal to the oxidation state of the transition metal.

Methods for making and using metallocenes are very well known in the art. For example, metallocenes are detailed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,530,914; 4,542,199; 4,769,910; 4,808,561; 4,871,705; 4,933,403; 4,937,299; 5,017,714; 5,026,798; 5,057,475; 5,120,867; 5,132,381; 5,155,180, 5,198,401, 5,278,119; 5,304,614; 5,324,800; 5,350,723; 5,391,790; 5,436,305 and 5,510,502 each fully incorporated herein by reference.

Desirably, the metallocenes are one or more of those consistent with the formula:

wherein M is a metal of Group 4, 5, or 6 of the Periodic Table desirably, zirconium, hafnium and titanium, most desirably zirconium;

R¹ and R² are identical or different, desirably identical, and are one of a hydrogen atom, a C₁-C₁₀ alkyl group, desirably a C₁-C₃ alkyl group, a C₁-C₁₀ alkoxy group, desirably a C₁-C₃ alkoxy group, a C₆-C₁₀ aryl group, desirably a C₆-C₈ aryl group, a C₆-C₁₀ aryloxy group, desirably a C₆-C₈ aryloxy group, a C₂-C₁₀ alkenyl group, desirably a C₂-C₄ alkenyl group, a C₇-C₄₀ arylalkyl group, desirably a C₇-C₁₀ arylalkyl group, a C₇-C₄₀ alkylaryl group, desirably a C₇-C₁₂ alkylaryl group, a C₈-C₄₀ arylalkenyl group, desirably a C₈-C₁₂ arylalkenyl group, or a halogen atom, desirably chlorine;

R⁵ and R⁶ are identical or different, desirably identical, are one of a halogen atom, desirably a fluorine, chlorine or bromine atom, a C₁-C₁₀ alkyl group, desirably a C₁-C₄ alkyl group, which may be halogenated, a C₆-C₁₀ aryl group, which may be halogenated, desirably a C₆-C₈ aryl group, a C₂-C₁₀ alkenyl group, desirably a C₂-C₄ alkenyl group, a C₇-C₄₀ -arylalkyl group, desirably a C₇-C₁₀ arylalkyl group, a C₇-C₄₀ alkylaryl group, desirably a C₇-C₁₂ alkylaryl group, a C₈-C₄₀ arylalkenyl group, desirably a C₈-C₁₂ arylalkenyl group, a —NR₂ ¹⁵, —SR¹⁵, —OR¹⁵, —OSiR₃ ¹⁵ or —PR₂ ¹⁵ radical, wherein R¹⁵ is one of a halogen atom, desirably a chlorine atom, a C₁-C₁₀ alkyl group, desirably a C₁-C₃ alkyl group, or a C₆-C₁₀ aryl group, desirably a C₆-C₉ aryl group; R⁷ is

wherein:

-   -   R¹¹, R¹² and R¹³ are identical or different and are a hydrogen         atom, a halogen atom, a C₁-C₂₀ alkyl group, desirably a C₁-C₁₀         alkyl group, a C₁-C₂₀ fluoroalkyl group, desirably a C₁-C₁₀         fluoroalkyl group, a C₆-C₃₀ aryl group, desirably a C₆-C₂₀ aryl         group, a C₆-C₃₀ fluoroaryl group, desirably a C₆-C₂₀ fluoroaryl         group, a C₁-C₂₀ alkoxy group, desirably a C₁-C₁₀ alkoxy group, a         C₂-C₂₀ alkenyl group, desirably a C₂-C₁₀ alkenyl group, a C₇-C₄₀         arylalkyl group, desirably a C₇-C₂₀ arylalkyl group, a C₈-C₄₀         arylalkenyl group, desirably a C₈-C₂₂ arylalkenyl group, a         C₇-C₄₀ alkylaryl group, desirably a C₇-C₂₀ alkylaryl group or         R¹¹ and R¹², or R¹¹ and R¹³, together with the atoms binding         them, can form ring systems;     -   M² is silicon, germanium or tin, desirably silicon or germanium,         most desirably silicon;

R⁸ and R⁹ are identical or different and have the meanings stated for R¹¹;

m and n are identical or different and are zero, 1 or 2, desirably zero or 1, m plus n being zero, 1 or 2, desirably zero or 1; and

the radicals R³, R⁴, and R¹⁰ are identical or different and have the meanings stated for R¹¹, R¹² and R¹³. Two adjacent R¹⁰ radicals can be joined together to form a ring system, desirably a ring system containing from about 4-6 carbon atoms.

Alkyl refers to straight or branched chain substituents. Halogen (halogenated) refers to fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine atoms, desirably fluorine or chlorine.

Particularly desirable transition metal compounds are compounds of the structures (A) and (B):

-   -   wherein:     -   M¹ is Zr or Hf, R¹ and R² are methyl or chlorine, and R⁵, R⁶ R⁸,         R⁹,R¹⁰, R¹¹ and R¹² have the above-mentioned meanings.

Illustrative but non-limiting examples of desirable transition metal compounds include:

-   -   Dimethylsilandiylbis (2-methyl-4-phenyl-1 -indenyl)Zirconium         dimethyl     -   Dimethylsilandiylbis(2-methyl-4,5-benzoindenyl)Zirconium         dimethyl;     -   Dimethylsilandiylbis(2-methyl-4,6-diisopropylindenyl)Zirconium         dimethyl;     -   Dimethylsilandiylbis(2-ethyl-4-phenyl-1-indenyl)Zirconium         dimethyl;     -   Dimethylsilandiylbis (2-ethyl-4-naphthyl-1-indenyl)Zirconium         dimethyl,     -   Phenyl(methyl)silandiylbis(2-methyl-4-phenyl)-1-indenyl)Zirconium         dimethyl,     -   Dimethylsilandiylbis(2-methyl-4-(1-naphthyl)-1-indenyl)Zirconium         dimethyl,     -   Dimethylsilandiylbis(2-methyl-4-(2-naphthyl)-1-indenyl)Zirconium         dimethyl,     -   Dimethylsilandiylbis(2-methyl-indenyl)Zirconium dimethyl,     -   Dimethylsilandiylbis(2-methyl-4,5-diisopropyl-1-indenyl)Zirconium         dimethyl,     -   Dimethylsilandiylbis(2,4,6-trimethyl-1-indenyl)Zirconium         dimethyl,     -   Phenyl(methyl)silandiylbis(2-methyl-4,6-diisopropyl-1-indenyl)Zirconium         dimethyl,     -   1,2-Ethandiylbis(2-methyl-4,6-diisopropyl-1-indenyl)Zirconium         dimethyl,     -   1,2-Butandiylbis(2-methyl-4,6-diisopropyl-1-indenyl)Zirconium         dimethyl,     -   Dimethylsilandiylbis(2-methyl-4-ethyl-1-indenyl)Zirconium         dimethyl,     -   Dimethylsilandiylbis(2-methyl-4-isopropyl-1-indenyl)Zirconium         dimethyl,     -   Dimethylsilandiylbis(2-methyl-4-t-butyl-1-indenyl)Zirconium         dimethyl,     -   Phenyl(methyl)silandiylbis(2-methyl-4-isopropyl-1-indenyl)Zirconium         dimethyl,     -   Dimethylsilandiylbis(2-ethyl-4-methyl-1-indenyl)Zirconium         dimethyl,     -   Dimethylsilandiylbis(2,4-dimethyl-1-indenyl)Zirconium dimethyl,     -   Dimethylsilandiylbis(2-methyl-4-ethyl-1-indenyl)Zirconium         dimethyl,     -   Dimethylsilandiylbis(2-methyl-α-acenaphth-1-indenyl)Zirconium         dimethyl,     -   Phenyl(methyl)silandiylbis(2-methyl-4,5-benzo-1-indenyl)Zirconium         dimethyl,     -   Phenyl(methyl)silandiylbis(2-methyl-4,5-(methyl         benzo)-1-indenyl)Zirconium dimethyl,     -   Phenyl(methyl)silandiylbis(2-methyl-4,5-(tetramethylbenzo)-1-indenyl)Zirconium         dimethyl,     -   Phenyl(methyl)silandiylbis(2-methyl-α-acenaphth-1-indenyl)Zirconium         dimethyl,     -   1,2-Ethandiylbis(2-methyl-4,5-benzo-1-indenyl)Zirconium         dimethyl,     -   1,2-Butandiylbis(2-methyl-4,5-benzo-1-indenyl)Zirconium         dimethyl,     -   Dimethylsilandiylbis(2-methyl-4,5-benzo-1-indenyl)Zirconium         dimethyl,     -   1,2-Ethandiylbis(2,4,7-trimethyl-1-indenyl)Zirconium dimethyl,     -   Dimethylsilandiylbis(2-methyl-1-indenyl)Zirconium dimethyl,     -   1,2-Ethandiylbis(2-methyl-1-indenyl)Zirconium dimethyl,     -   Phenyl(methyl)silandiylbis(2-methyl-1-indenyl)Zirconium         dimethyl,     -   Diphenylsilandiylbis(2-methyl-1-indenyl)Zirconium dimethyl,     -   1,2-Butandiylbis(2-methyl-1-indenyl)Zirconium dimethyl,     -   Dimethylsilandiylbis(2-ethyl-1-indenyl)Zirconium dimethyl,     -   Dimethylsilandiylbis(2-methyl-5-isobutyl-1-indenyl)Zirconium         dimethyl,     -   Phenyl(methyl)silandiylbis(2-methyl-5-isobutyl-1-indenyl)Zirconium         dimethyl,     -   Dimethylsilandiylbis(2-methyl-5-t-butyl-1-indenyl)Zirconium         dimethyl,     -   Dimethylsilandiylbis(2,5,6-trimethyl-1-indenyl)Zirconium         dimethyl,     -   Dimethylsilandiylbis(2-methyl-4-phenyl-1-indenyl)Zirconium         dichloride     -   Dimethylsilandiylbis(2-methyl-4,5-benzoindenyl)Zirconium         dichloride,     -   Dimethylsilandiylbis(2-methyl-4,6-diisopropylindenyl)Zirconium         dichloride,     -   Dimethylsilandiylbis(2-ethyl-4-phenyl-1-indenyl)Zirconium         dichloride,     -   Dimethylsilandiylbis(2-ethyl-4-naphthyl-1-indenyl)Zirconium         dichloride,     -   Phenyl(methyl)silandiylbis(2-methyl-4-phenyl-1-indenyl)Zirconium         dichloride,     -   Dimethylsilandiylbis(2-methyl-4-(1-naphthyl)-1-indenyl)Zirconium         dichloride,     -   Dimethylsilandiylbis(2-methyl-4-(2-naphthyl)-1-indenyl)Zirconium         dichloride,     -   Dimethylsilandiylbis(2-methyl-indenyl)Zirconium dichloride,     -   Dimethylsilandiylbis(2-methyl-4,5-diisopropyl-1-indenyl)Zirconium         dichloride,     -   Dimethylsilandiylbis(2,4,6-trimethyl-1-indenyl)Zirconium         dichloride,     -   Phenyl(methyl)silandiylbis(2-methyl-4,6-diisopropyl-1-indenyl)Zirconium         dichloride,     -   1,2-Ethandiylbis(2-methyl-4,6-diisopropyl-1-indenyl)Zirconium         dichloride,     -   1,2-Butandiylbis(2-methyl-4,6-diisopropyl-1-indenyl)Zirconium         dichloride,     -   Dimethylsilandiylbis(2-methyl-4-ethyl-1-indenyl)Zirconium         dichloride,     -   Dimethylsilandiylbis(2-methyl-4-isopropyl-1-indenyl)Zirconium         dichloride,     -   Dimethylsilandiylbis(2-methyl-4-t-butyl-1-indenyl)Zirconium         dichloride,     -   Phenyl(methyl)silandiylbis(2-methyl-4-isopropyl-1-indenyl)Zirconium         dichloride,     -   Dimethylsilandiylbis(2-ethyl-4-methyl-1-indenyl)Zirconium         dichloride,     -   Dimethylsilandiylbis(2,4-dimethyl-1-indenyl)Zirconium         dichloride,     -   Dimethylsilandiylbis(2-methyl-4-ethyl-1-indenyl)Zirconium         dichloride,     -   Dimethylsilandiylbis(2-methyl-α-acenaphth-1-indenyl)Zirconium         dichloride,     -   Phenyl(methyl)silandiylbis(2-methyl-4,5-benzo-1-indenyl)Zirconium         dichloride,     -   Phenyl(methyl)silandiylbis(2-methyl-4,5-(methylbenzo)-1-indenyl)Zirconium         dichloride,     -   Phenyl(methyl)silandiylbis(2-methyl-4,5-(tetramethylbenzo)-1         -indenyl)Zirconium dichloride,     -   Phenyl(methyl)silandiylbis         (2-methyl-a-acenaphth-1-indenyl)Zirconium dichloride,     -   1,2-Ethandiylbis(2-methyl-4,5-benzo-1-indenyl)Zirconium         dichloride,     -   1,2-Butandiylbis(2-methyl-4,5-benzo-1-indenyl)Zirconium         dichloride,     -   Dimethylsilandiylbis(2-methyl-4,5-benzo-1-indenyl)Zirconium         dichloride,     -   1,2-Ethandiylbis(2,4,7-trimethyl-1-indenyl)Zirconium dichloride,     -   Dimethylsilandiylbis(2-methyl-1-indenyl)Zirconium dichloride,     -   1,2-Ethandiylbis(2-methyl-1-indenyl)Zirconium dichloride,     -   Phenyl(methyl)silandiylbis(2-methyl-1-indenyl)Zirconium         dichloride,     -   Diphenylsilandiylbis(2-methyl-1-indenyl)Zirconium dichloride,     -   1,2-Butandiylbis(2-methyl-1-indenyl)Zirconium dichloride,     -   Dimethylsilandiylbis(2-ethyl-1-indenyl)Zirconium dichloride,     -   Dimethylsilandiylbis(2-methyl-5-isobutyl-1-indenyl)Zirconium         dichloride,     -   Phenyl(methyl)silandiylbis(2-methyl         -5-isobutyl-1-indenyl)Zirconium dichloride,     -   Dimethylsilandiylbis(2-methyl-5-t-butyl-1-indenyl)Zirconium         dichloride,     -   Dimethylsilandiylbis(2,5,6-trimethyl-1-indenyl)Zirconium         dichloride, and the like.

Many of these desirable transition metal compound components are described in detail in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,145,819; 5,243,001; 5,239,022; 5,329,033; 5,296,434; 5,276,208; 5,672,668, 5,304,614 and 5,374,752; and EP 549 900 and 576 970 all of which are herein fully incorporated by reference.

Additionally, metallocenes such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,510,502, U.S. Pat. No. 4,931,417, U.S. Pat. No. 5,532,396, U.S. Pat. No. 5,543,373, WO 98/014585, EP611 773 and WO 98/22486 (each fully incorporated herein by reference) are suitable for use in this invention.

Activators

Metallocenes are generally used in combination with some form of activator in order to create an active catalyst system. The term “activator” is defined herein to be any compound or component, or combination of compounds or components, capable of enhancing the ability of one or more metallocenes to polymerize olefins to polyolefins. Alklyalumoxanes such as methylalumoxane (MAO) are commonly used as metallocene activators. Generally alkylalumoxanes contain about 5 to 40 of the repeating units:

where R is a C₁-C₈ alkyl including mixed alkyls. Particularly desirable are the compounds in which R is methyl. Alumoxane solutions, particularly methylalumoxane solutions, may be obtained from commercial vendors as solutions having various concentrations. There are a variety of methods for preparing alumoxane, non-limiting examples of which are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,665,208, 4,952,540, 5,091,352, 5,206,199, 5,204,419, 4,874,734, 4,924,018, 4,908,463, 4,968,827, 5,308,815, 5,329,032, 5,248,801, 5,235,081, 5,103,031 and EP-A-0 561 476, EP-B1-0 279 586, EP-A-0 594-218 and WO 94/10180, each fully incorporated herein by reference. (as used herein unless otherwise stated “solution” refers to any mixture including suspensions.)

Ionizing activators may also be used to activate metallocenes. These activators are neutral or ionic, or are compounds such as tri(n-butyl)ammonium tetrakis(pentaflurophenyl)borate, which ionize the neutral metallocene compound. Such ionizing compounds may contain an active proton, or some other cation associated with, but not coordinated or only loosely coordinated to, the remaining ion of the ionizing compound. Combinations of activators may also be used, for example, alumoxane and ionizing activators in combinations, see for example, WO 94/07928.

Descriptions of ionic catalysts for coordination polymerization comprised of metallocene cations activated by non-coordinating anions appear in the early work in EP-A-0 277 003, EP-A-0 277 004 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,198,401 and WO-A-92/00333 (incorporated herein by reference). These teach a desirable method of preparation wherein metallocenes (bisCp and monoCp) are protonated by an anion precursor such that an alkyl/hydride group is abstracted from a transition metal to make it both cationic and charge-balanced by the non-coordinating anion. Suitable ionic salts include tetrakis-substituted borate or aluminum salts having fluorided aryl-constituents such as phenyl, biphenyl and napthyl.

The term “noncoordinating anion” (NCA) means an anion which either does not coordinate to said cation or which is only weakly coordinated to said cation thereby remaining sufficiently labile to be displaced by a neutral Lewis base. “Compatible” noncoordinating anions are those which are not degraded to neutrality when the initially formed complex decomposes. Further, the anion will not transfer an anionic substituent or fragment to the cation so as to cause it to form a neutral four coordinate metallocene compound and a neutral by-product from the anion. Noncoordinating anions useful in accordance with this invention are those which are compatible, stabilize the metallocene cation in the sense of balancing its ionic charge in a +1 state, yet retain sufficient lability to permit displacement by an ethylenically or acetylenically unsaturated monomer during polymerization.

The use of ionizing ionic compounds not containing an active proton but capable of producing both the active metallocene cation and a noncoordinating anion is also known. See, for example, EP-A-0 426 637 and EP-A-0 573 403 (incorporated herein by reference). An additional method of making the ionic catalysts uses ionizing anion precursors which are initially neutral Lewis acids but form the cation and anion upon ionizing reaction with the metallocene compounds, for example the use of tris(pentafluorophenyl) borane. See EP-A-0 520 732 (incorporated herein by reference). Ionic catalysts for addition polymerization can also be prepared by oxidation of the metal centers of transition metal compounds by anion precursors containing metallic oxidizing groups along with the anion groups, see EP-A-0 495 375 (incorporated herein by reference).

Where the metal ligands include halogen moieties (for example, bis-cyclopentadienyl zirconium dichloride) which are not capable of ionizing abstraction under standard conditions, they can be converted via known alkylation reactions with organometallic compounds such as lithium or aluminum hydrides or alkyls, alkylalumoxanes, Grignard reagents, etc. See EP-A-0 500 944 and EP-A1-0 570 982 (incorporated herein by reference) for in situ processes describing the reaction of alkyl aluminum compounds with dihalo-substituted metallocene compounds prior to or with the addition of activating anionic compounds.

Desirable methods for supporting ionic catalysts comprising metallocene cations and NCA are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,643,847, U.S. pat. application Ser. No. 09184358, filed Nov. 2, 1998 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09184389, filed Nov. 2, 1998 (all fully incorporated herein by reference). When using the support composition, and particularly the fluorided support composition, of this invention, these NCA support methods generally comprise using neutral anion precursors that are sufficiently strong Lewis acids to react with the hydroxyl reactive functionalities present on the silica surface such that the Lewis acid becomes covalently bound.

In one embodiment of this invention, the activator is one or more NCAs and the supportation method described above is used. This reaction can be generically represented by the chemical formula: [L_(n)L′_(m)M′R′]⁺[LA—O-SupLF_(n)]⁻,  (1) where [L_(n)L′_(m)M′R′]⁺ is the catalytically active transition metal cation and LA—O— is the activator anion bound to the support composition, particularly the fluorided support composition, SupLF_(n). More specifically, L_(n) is one or more ligands (n equals d⁰−1 where d⁰ is the highest oxidation state of M′) covalently bound to M′, L′_(m) is a neutral, non-oxidizing ligand having a dative bond to M′ (typically m equals 0 to 3), M′ is a Group 4, 5, 6, 9, or 10 transition metal, R′ is a ligand having a σ bond to M′ into which a polymerizable monomer or macromonomer can insert for coordination polymerization. LA is a Lewis acid that is capable of forming the anionic activator and O is oxygen.

The activator anion neutral precursors that serve as the Lewis acid (LA) include any of the noncoordinating anion precursors of sufficient acidity to accept the available electron pair of the hydroxyl group oxygen atom and facilitate the protonation of the transition metal compound or a secondary proton acceptor (see below) by the silanol group proton. The desirable activator anion neutral precursors that serve as the Lewis acid (LA) are strong Lewis acids with non-hydrolyzable ligands, at least one of which is electron-withdrawing, such as those Lewis acids known to abstract an anionic fragment from dimethyl zirconocene (biscyclopentadienyl zirconium dimethyl) e.g., tris-perfluorophenyl borane, trisperfluoronaphthyl borane, trisperfluorobiphenyl borane. These precursors therefore should not possess any reactive ligands, which can be protonated by any remaining hydroxyl groups on the support composition, particularly the fluorided support composition. For example, any Group 13 element based Lewis acids having only alkyl, halo, alkoxy, and/or amido ligands, which are readily hydrolyzed in aqueous-media, may not be suitable. At least one ligand of LA must be sufficiently electron-withdrawing to achieve the needed acidity, for example, tris-perfluorophenyl borane, under typical reaction conditions. Typical metal/metalloid centers for LA will include boron, aluminum, antimony, arsenic, phosphorous and gallium. Most desirably LA is a neutral compound comprising a Group 13 metalloid center with a complement of ligands together sufficiently electron-withdrawing such that the Lewis acidity is greater than or equal to that of AlCl₃. Examples include tris-perfluorophenylborane, tris(3,5-di(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)borane, tris(di-t-butylmethylsilyl)perfluorophenylborane, and other highly fluorinated tris-arylborane compounds.

Additionally, when the activator for the metallocene supported catalyst composition is a NCA, desirably the NCA is first added to the support composition followed by the addition of the metallocene catalyst. When the activator is MAO, desirably the MAO and metallocene catalyst are dissolved together in solution. The support is then contacted with the MAO/metallocene catalyst solution. Other methods and order of addition will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Polymerization

The metallocene supported catalyst composition is useful in coordination polymerization of unsaturated monomers conventionally known to be polymerizable under coordination polymerization conditions. Such conditions also are well known and include solution polymerization, slurry polymerization, and low pressure gas phase polymerization. The metallocene supported catalysts compositions of the present invention are thus particularly useful in the known operating modes employing fixed-bed, moving-bed, fluid-bed, or slurry processes conducted in single, series or parallel reactors.

The metallocene supported catalyst composition of this invention are particularly suitable for propylene polymerizations. Any process may be used, but propylene polymerizations are most commonly conducted using a slurry processes in which the polymerization medium can be either a liquid monomer, like propylene, or a hydrocarbon solvent or diluent, advantageously aliphatic paraffin such as propane, isobutane, hexane, heptane, cyclohexane, etc. or an aromatic diluent such as toluene. The polymerization temperatures may be those considered low, e.g., less than 50° C., desirably 0° C.-30° C., or may be in a higher range, such as up to about 150° C., desirably from 50° C. up to about 80° C., or at any ranges between the end points indicated. Pressures can vary from about 100 to about 700 psia (0.69-4.8 MPa). Additional description is given in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,274,056 and 4,182,810 and WO 94/21962 which are each fully incorporated by reference.

Propylene homopolymers may be formed with the metallocene supported catalyst composition using conventional polymerization techniques. The microstructure of the homopolymer will desirably possess a meso run length as measured by ¹³C NMR of 70% or greater relative to the total polymer produced. Copolymers with ethylene may be formed by introduction of ethylene to the propylene slurry or gas phase polymerization of gaseous propylene and ethylene comonomers. Copolymers with ethylene desirably contain 0.1 to 10 wt % comonomer. Stereoregular homopolymers and copolymers of α-olefins may be formed with this system by introduction of the appropriate monomer or monomers to a slurry or bulk propylene process.

Pre-polymerization may also be used for further control of polymer particle morphology in typical slurry or gas phase reaction processes in accordance with conventional teachings. For example such can be accomplished by pre-polymerizing a C₂-C₆ alpha-olefin for a limited time, for example, ethylene is contacted with the supported metallocene catalyst composition at a temperature of −15 to 30° C. and ethylene pressure of up to about 250 psig (1724 kPa) for 75 min. to obtain a polymeric coating on the support of polyethylene of 30,000-150,000 molecular weight. The pre-polymerized catalyst is then available for use in the polymerization processes referred to above. In a similar manner, the activated catalyst on a support coated with a previously polymerized thermoplastic polymer can be utilized in these polymerization processes.

Additionally it is desirable to reduce or eliminate polymerization poisons that may be introduced via feedstreams, solvents or diluents, by removing or neutralizing the poisons. For example, monomer feed streams or the reaction diluent may be pre-treated, or treated in situ during the polymerization reaction, with a suitable scavenging agent. Typically such will be an organometallic compound employed in processes such as those using the Group-13 organometallic compounds of U.S. Pat. No. 5,153,157 and WO-A-91/09882 and WO-A-94/03506, noted above, and that of WO-A-93/14132.

EXAMPLES

The following examples are presented to illustrate the foregoing discussion. All parts, proportions and percentages are by weight unless otherwise indicated. Although the examples may be directed to certain embodiments of the present invention, they are not to be viewed as limiting the invention in any specific respect

Preparation of the Supports

The following example shows that silica can be fluorided during the silica gel heat dehydration process.

Example 1

48.5 grams of SiO₂, available from Grace Davison, a subsidiary of W.R. Grace Co.-Conn. as Sylopol®952 (“952 silica gel”) having N₂ pore volume 1.63 cc/g and a surface area of 312 m²/g, was dry mixed with 1.5 grams ammonium hexafluorosilicate available from Aldrich Chemical Company, Milwaukee Wis. The ammonium hexafluorosilicate added corresponds to 1.05 millimole F per gram silica gel. The mixture was transferred to a 5 cm ID by 50 cm vycor glass tube having a medium frit plug 3.8 cm from one end. The tube was inserted into a tube furnace and a flow of N₂ (220 cc/min) was passed up through the frit to fluidize the silica bed. The furnace was heated according to the following schedule.

-   -   Raise the temperature from 25 to 150° C. over 5 hours     -   Hold the temperature at 150° C. for 4 hours     -   Raise the temperature from 150 to 500° C. over 2 hours     -   Hold the temperature at 500° C. for 4 hours     -   Heat off and allow to cool under N₂

When cool the fluorided silica was stored under N₂. Neutron Activation Analysis, Nuclear Analytical Services, The University of Texas at Austin, showed 1.68±0.06 weight percent (wt %) fluorine.

The following examples show that the weight percent fluoride on the silica can be controlled by the amount and type of fluoride containing compound, such as an inorganic fluoride containing compound, added to the silica gel prior to the heat dehydration.

Examples 2 through 14

In a similar manner the 952 silica gel was treated as described in Example 1 except different weights and fluorine compounds were used. Details are shown in Table 1. Column three describes the wt % of fluorine compound present in the total silica/fluorine compound sample before heating. Column four labeled “added” describes the wt % of fluorine present in the sample before heating. Column five labeled “found” describes the wt % of fluorine present in the sample after heating. The wt % in column five is higher than column four reflecting, to some degree, the loss of water during heating.

TABLE 1 500° C. Fluorided Silica Examples wt % of Fluorine Fluorine Fluorine (wt %) Example Compound Compound added Found 2 (NH₄)₂SiF₆ 0.5 0.32 0.77 ± 0.05 3 ″ 1 0.64 1.32 ± 0.05 4 ″ 2 1.28 1.68 ± 0.06 5 ″ 3 1.92 2.55 ± 0.09 6 ″ 4 2.56 3.04 ± 0.09 7 ″ 6 3.84 3.20 ± 0.10 8 NH₄BF₄ 1.8 1.28 n.d.¹ 9 ″ 3.6 2.56 1.89 ± 0.11 10  ″ ″ ″ 1.95 ± 0.06 11  (NH₄)₂PF₆ 1.8 1.28 1.66 ± 0.06 12  ″ 3.6 2.56 2.20 ± 0.09 13  ″ ″ ″ 2.26 ± 0.06 14  NH₄F 2.5 1.28 1.68 ± 0.07 ¹Not determined

Examples 15-21 show that the silica gel can be fluorided during heat dehydration at different temperatures.

Example 15

In a similar manner to Example 1, 48.15 grams of the 952 silica gel was dry mixed with 1.85 grams ammonium fluoride from Aldrich Chemical Company, Milwaukee Wis. The ammonium fluoride added corresponds to 1.05 millimole F per gram silica gel. The following heat schedule was used.

-   -   Raise the temperature from 25 to 150° C. over 5 hours     -   Hold the temperature at 150° C. for 4 hours     -   Raise the temperature from 150 to 600° C. over 2 hours     -   Hold the temperature at 600° C. for 4 hours     -   Heat off and allow to cool under N₂

When cool the fluorided silica was stored under N₂. Neutron Activation showed 2.00±0.09 wt % fluorine.

Example 16

The 952 silica gel was treated as in Example1except the following heat schedule was used.

-   -   Raise the temperature from 25 to 150° C. over 5 hours     -   Hold the temperature at 150° C. for 4 hours     -   Raise the temperature from 150 to 300° C. over 2 hours     -   Hold the temperature at 300° C. for 4 hours     -   Heat off and allow to cool under N₂

When cool the fluorided silica was stored under N₂.

Examples 17 through 21

In a similar manner the 952 silica gel was fluorided as in Example 16 except that different weights and fluorine Compounds were used. Details are shown in Table 2. Similar to Table 1, column three describes the wt % of fluorine compound present in the total silica/fluorine compound sample before heating. Column four labeled “added” describes the wt % of fluorine present in the sample before heating. Column five labeled “found” describes the wt % of fluorine present in the sample after heating. The wt % in column five is higher than column four reflecting, to some degree, the loss of water during heating.

TABLE 2 300° C. Fluorided Silica Examples wt % of Fluorine Fluorine Fluorine (wt %) Example Compound Compound Added Found 17 (NH₄)₂SiF₆ 1 0.64 0.93 ± 0.05 18 ″ 2 1.28 1.55 ± 0.05 19 ″ 4 2.56 3.22 ± 0.09 20 ″ 6 3.84 n.d.¹ 21 NH₄BF₄ 1.8 1.28 1.81 ± 0.06 ¹not determined

Examples 22 and 23 show silica gels from other manufacturers can be fluorided during heat dehydration.

Example 22

48.5 grams of SiO₂, available from The PQ Corporation, Valley Forge Pa. as MS 1340 having a surface area of 450 m²/g and pore volume of 1.3 cc/g, was dry mixed with 1.5 grams ammonium hexafluorosilicate available from Aldrich Chemical Co. The mixture was transferred to the fluidized dehydrator described in Example 1and a flow of N₂ (400 cc/min) was passed through the unit. The furnace was heated according to the following schedule.

-   -   Raise the temperature from 25 to 150° C. over 5 hours     -   Hold the temperature at 150° C. for 4 hours     -   Raise the temperature from 150 to 500° C. over 2 hours     -   Hold the temperature at 500° C. for 4 hours     -   Heat off and allow to cool under N₂

When cool the fluorided silica was stored under N₂. Neutron Activation Analysis showed 1.93±0.045 percent fluorine.

Example 23.

48.5 grams of SiO₂, available from Crosfield Limited, Warrington England as MD682CM having a surface area of 280 m²/g and a pore volume of 1.4 cc/g, was dry mixed with 1.5 grams ammonium hexafluorosilicate available from Aldrich Chemical Co. The mixture was transferred to the fluidized dehydrator described in Example 1and a flow of N₂ (200 cc/min) was passed through the unit. The furnace was heated according to the following schedule.

-   -   Raise the temperature from 25 to 150° C. over 5 hours     -   Hold the temperature at 150° C. for 4 hours     -   Raise the temperature from 150 to 500° C. over 2 hours     -   Hold the temperature at 500° C. for 4 hours     -   Heat off and allow to cool under N₂

When cool the fluorided silica was stored under N₂. Neutron Activation Analysis showed 1.96±0.052 percent fluorine.

Comparative Examples 1-10 describe the preparation of non-fluorided, dehydrated silicas for comparison as supports to the fluorided silicas.

Comparative Example 1

50.0 grams of SiO₂(952 silica gel), was transferred to a 5 cm ID by 50 cm vycor glass tube having a medium frit plug 3.8 cm from one end. The tube was inserted into a tube furnace and a flow of N₂ (220 cc/min) was passed through the frit to fluidize the silica bed. The furnace was heated according to the following schedule.

-   -   Raise the temperature from 25 to 150° C. over 5 hours     -   Hold the temperature at 150° C. for 4 hours     -   Raise the temperature from 150 to 800° C. over 2 hours     -   Hold the temperature at 800° C. for 4 hours     -   Heat off and allow to cool under N₂

When cool the dehydrated silica was stored under N₂.

Comparative Example 2

In a similar manner the 952 silica gel was dehydrated with the same schedule as Comparative Example 1except the maximum temperature was 600° C. When cool the dehydrated silica was stored under N₂.

Comparative Example 3

In a similar manner the 952 silica gel was dehydrated with the same schedule as Comparative Example1except the maximum temperature was 500° C. When cool the dehydrated silica was stored under N₂.

Comparative Example 4

In a similar manner Sylopol®948 silica gel (“948 silica gel”) having a pore volume of 1.7 cc/g and a surface area of 335 m2/g, available from Grace Davison, a subsidiary of W.R. Grace Co.-Conn. was dehydrated with the same schedule as Comparative Example 3. When cool the dehydrated silica was stored under N₂.

Comparative Example 5

In a similar manner the 952 silica gel was dehydrated with the same schedule as Comparative Example 1except the maximum temperature was 300° C. When cool the dehydrated silica was stored under N₂.

The Comparative Example 6 describes the preparation of a non-fluorided, chemically dehydrated silica for comparison as a support to fluorided silica.

Comparative Example 6

25.00 g of the silica prepared in Comparative Example 4 was loaded to a 1000 milliliter flask and 250 ml hexane added. To the slurry under stirring was added 5.3 milliliters hexamethyldisilazane, available from Aldrich Chemical Company, Milwaukee Wis. After the dropwise addition was complete the slurry was stirred for 30 minutes then refluxed for 120 minutes. When cool the flask was taken into the dry box. The supernatant was decanted then the slurry washed two times with hexane, two times with isopentane and dried under vacuum at ambient temperature. Obtained 25.76 grams of chemically dehydrated silica. The dehydrated silica was stored under N₂.

The Comparative Example 7 describes the preparation of silica fluorided with a fluoriding agent at room temperature for comparison as a support to fluorided silica of the present invention.

Comparative Example 7

15.0 grams of 952 silica gel, previously heat dehydrated with the heat schedule shown in Example 1, was loaded into a 250 milliliter flask and the flask evacuated. The vacuum was replaced by N₂ and the procedure repeated three times. In the dry box under N₂ a stir bar was added. In a separate flask 42.25 grams of dry and N₂ purged toluene was combined with 0.615 grams dimethylamine sulfur trifluoride, available from Aldrich Chemical Co. The toluene solution was slowly added to the silica then the slurry was heated to 50° C. for 150 minutes followed by more toluene (15.1 grams) and an additional 30 minutes heating. Stirring was stopped and the supernatant decanted. The residue was washed three times with 20-25 gram portions of toluene. The final residue was vacuum dried to a final temperature of 60° C. Dry weight of the treated silica was 15.35 grams. Neutron Activation Analysis showed 1.70±0.1 percent fluorine. The fluorided silica was stored under N₂ prior to use.

The Comparative Examples 8-10 show that silica gel can be halogenated with the congeners of fluorine during heat dehydration.

Comparative Examples 8 through 10

In a manner similar to Example 15, non-fluorided silica (952 silica gel) was mixed with other ammonium halide compounds in molar amounts equal to the millimoles fluorine used then the mixture was heated as described previously. When cool the dehydrated silicas were stored under N₂.

Details are shown in Table 3. Column three describes the wt % of halide compound present in the total silica/halide compound sample. Column four labeled “added” describes the wt % of halide present in the sample before heating. Column five labeled “found” describes the wt % of halide present in the sample after heating.

TABLE 3 Treated with Congener Halogens wt %¹ of Comparative Halide Elemental Halide (wt %) Example Halide Compound Compound Added¹ Found 8 NH₄Cl 5.3 3.7  0.19 ± 0.004 9 NH₄Br 9.3 8.4 0.38 ± 0.04 10 NH₄I 13.4 13.5 0.36 ± 0.03 ¹equivalent to 1.05 millimoles per gram of silica Catalysts

Examples 24-25 and Comparative Examples 11-12 show that metallocene catalysts prepared with methylalumoxane and dehydrated fluorided silica as the support have higher activity compared to the same catalysts prepared with methylaumoxane using dehydrated silica. Except as otherwise stated in the specific example, the polymerization procedure of Example 24 was followed.

Example 24

In the dry box under N₂ 0.0525 grams of rac-dimethylsilandiylbis(2-methylindenyl) zirconium dichloride was placed in a 50 milliliter beaker and 4.55 grams of Methylalumoxane as a 30% solution in toluene was added. The resulting metallocene solution was stirred for 30 minutes with a bar magnet. Then 15.0 grams of dried and N₂ purged toluene was added followed by another 5 minutes of stirring. Separately 5.00 grams of the fluorided silica prepared in Example 8 was transferred to a 150 milliliter beaker. The metallocene solution was added to the fluorided silica gel in three aliquots with stirring. The resulting slurry was stirred for an additional 60 minutes then the volatiles were removed under vacuum. Heat was applied to the drying catalyst until a final temperature of 50° C. was held for 60 minutes. The dried catalyst was 6.52 grams of a finely divided, free flowing solid. Elemental analysis showed 9.18% Al and 0.142% Zr.

Batch Polymerization

A 2 liter autoclave reactor previously hot flushed with N₂ and cooled to ambient temperature was charged with triethylaluminum (1 milliliter of a 1M solution in hexane) followed by 1100 milliliters of propylene. If needed for the polymerization about 5 millimole hydrogen was added from a reservoir by pressure difference prior to the propylene. After heating the reactor contents to 70° C. 100 milligrams catalyst solid, slurried in 2 milliliters of hexane, was flushed in with 100 milliliters of propylene to start the reaction. After one hour, the reactor was cooled, vented, purged with N₂ for 20 minutes and then opened. The polypropylene was transferred to a glass dish and allowed to dry in a fume hood overnight. The next day the polymer was further dried in vacuo at 75° C. for one hour. The dried polymer was weighed.

Polymer Analysis: MFR was measured by the method of ASTM-1238 Condition L. Apparent Density is measured using the method of ASTM D-1895-89 Method A. Particle Size was measured by the method of ASTM D 1921-89 Method A. Molecular Weight (MW) and its distribution (MWD) was measured by GPC on a Waters 150-C at 145° C. using 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene as the solvent.

106.8 milligram of the solid prepared as described in Example 24 gave 334.1 grams polypropylene in 60 minutes. Productivity was 3128 g PP/g catalyst. Activity was 200.9 Kg PP/millimole Zr. Analysis showed the polymer to have the following properties: 25.8 MFR, 149532 g/mole MW and 1.82 dispersity.

Example 25

In the dry box under N₂ 0.0705 grams of rac-dimethylsilandiylbis(2-methyl-4-phenyl-1-indenyl) zirconium dichloride was placed in a 50 milliliter beaker and 4.55 grams of Methylalumoxane as a 30% solution in toluene was added. The resulting metallocene solution was stirred for 30 minutes with a bar magnet. Then 14.0 grams of dried and N₂ purged toluene was added followed by another 5 minutes of stirring. Separately 5.00 grams of the fluorided silica prepared in Example 8 was transferred to a 150 milliliter beaker. The metallocene solution was added to the fluorided silica gel in three aliquots with stirring. The resulting slurry was stirred for an additional 60 minutes then the volatiles were removed under vacuum. Heat was applied to the drying catalyst until a final temperature of 50° C. was held for 60 minutes. The dried catalyst was 6.48 grams of a finely divided, free flowing solid. Elemental analysis showed 9.55% Al and 0.153% Zr. 109.8 milligram of the solid gave 326.3 grams polypropylene in 60 minutes. Productivity was 2972 g PP/g catalyst. Activity was 177.2 Kg PP/millimole Zr. Analysis showed the polymer to have the following properties: 577822 g/mole MW and 2.12 dispersity.

Comparative Example 11

In the dry box under N₂ 0.0532 grams of rac-dimethylsilandiylbis(2-methylindenyl) zirconium dichloride was placed in a 50 milliliter beaker and 4.56 grams of Methylalumoxane as a 30% solution in toluene was added. The resulting metallocene solution was stirred for 30 minutes with a bar magnet. Then 16.5 grams of dried and N₂ purged toluene was added followed by another 5 minutes of stirring. Separately 5.00 grams of the silica prepared in Comparative Example 3 was transferred to a 150 milliliter beaker. The metallocene solution was added to the silica gel in three aliquots with stirring. The resulting slurry was stirred for an additional 60 minutes then the volatiles were removed under vacuum. Heat was applied to the drying catalyst until a final temperature of 50° C. was held for 60 minutes. The dried catalyst was 6.67 grams of a finely divided, free flowing solid. Elemental analysis showed 9.12% Al and 0.128% Zr. 102.7 milligram of the solid gave 111.2 grams polypropylene in 60 minutes. Productivity was 1083 g PP/g catalyst. Activity was 77.2 Kg PP/millimole Zr. Analysis showed the polymer to have the following properties: 23.4 MFR, 143867 g/mole MW and 1.72 dispersity.

Comparative Example 12

In the dry box under N₂ 0.0709 grams of rac-dimethylsilandiylbis(2-methyl-4-phenyl-1-indenyl) zirconium dichloride was placed in a 50 milliliter beaker and 4.56 grams of Methylalumoxane as a 30% solution in toluene was added. The resulting metallocene solution was stirred for 30 minutes with a bar magnet. Then 16.5 grams of dried and N₂ purged toluene was added followed by another 5 minutes of stirring. Separately 5.00 grams of the silica prepared in Comparative Example 3 was transferred to a 150 milliliter beaker. The metallocene solution was added to the silica gel in three aliquots with stirring. The resulting slurry was stirred for an additional 60 minutes then the volatiles were removed under vacuum. Heat was applied to the drying catalyst until a final temperature of 50° C. was held for 60 minutes. The dried catalyst was 6.48 grams of a finely divided, free flowing solid. Elemental analysis showed 9.19% Al and 0.120% Zr. 103.3 milligram of the solid gave 82.9 grams polypropylene in 60 minutes. Productivity was 803 g PP/g catalyst. Activity was 61.0 Kg PP/millimole Zr. Analysis showed the polymer to have the following properties: 689094 g/mole MW and 2.17 dispersity.

Comparison of the results detailed above shows that the dehydrated fluorided silica catalyst has more than double the activity of the dehydrated silica catalyst based on Zr contained.

The following examples show that metallocene catalysts prepared with a non-coordinating anion and using dehydrated fluorided silica as the support have higher activity compared to the same catalysts prepared using dehydrated silica.

Example 26

In the dry box under N₂ 5.00 grams of the fluorided silica prepared in Example 4 was transferred to a 250 milliliter flask containing a bar magnet. In a 50 milliliter beaker 0.18 grams N,N′-diethylaniline, available from Aldrich Chemical Company, Milwaukee Wis. was diluted with 18.0 milliliters of dried and N₂ purged hexane. This solution was added slowly to the silica with stirring to form a thick slurry. The slurry was diluted with 5.0 milliliters of hexane and heat applied as stirring continued. At the end of 30 minutes the temperature was 40° C. 0.55 grams of tris-perfluorophenylborane, available from Boulder Scientific Company, Mead, Colo. was added and the stirring—heating continued. After an additional 60 minutes the temperature was constant at 50° C. 0.06 grams of rac-dimethylsilandiylbis(2-methylindenyl) zirconium dimethyl was added and the stirring—heating continued. After 120 minutes heating was stopped and the slurry was permitted to settle. The supernatant was removed and the solids were dried under vacuum. Heat was applied as the catalyst dried until a final temperature of 30° C. was held for 60 minutes. The dried catalyst was 5.85 grams of a finely divided, free flowing solid. Elemental analysis showed 0.20% B and 0.21% Zr. 105.0 milligram of the solid gave 135.7 grams polypropylene in 60 minutes. Productivity was 1292 g PP/g catalyst. Activity was 56.1 Kg PP/millimole Zr. Analysis showed the polymer to have the following properties: 105024 g/mole MW and 1.96 dispersity.

Example 27

101.2 milligrams of the catalyst prepared in Example 26 was charged to the polymerization reactor containing hydrogen. 127.6 grams polypropylene was prepared in 60 minutes. Productivity was 1261 g PP/g catalyst. Activity was 54.8 Kg PP/millimole Zr. Analysis showed the polymer to have the following properties: 107642 g/mole MW and 2.03 dispersity.

Comparative Example 13

In a manner similar to Example 26 a catalyst was prepared except the silica of Comparative Example 3 was used. The dried catalyst was 5.75 grams of a finely divided, free flowing solid. Elemental analysis showed 0.19% B and 0.22% Zr. 103.6 milligram of the solid gave 8.7 grams polypropylene in 60 minutes. Productivity was 84 g PP/g catalyst. Activity was 3.5 Kg PP/millimole Zr. Analysis showed the polymer to have the following properties: 102315 g/mole MW and 2.04 dispersity.

Comparative Example 14

99.2 milligrams of the catalyst prepared in Comparative Example 13 was charged to the polymerization reactor containing hydrogen. 13.6 grams polypropylene was prepared in 60 minutes. Productivity was 137 g PP/g catalyst. Activity was 5.7 Kg PP/millimole Zr. Analysis showed the polymer to have the following properties: 91845 g/mole MW and 1.90 dispersity.

Comparison of the results detailed above shows that the dehydrated fluorided silica catalyst has on average about 1280 percent more activity than the dehydrated silica catalyst on a Zr basis.

Example 28

In the dry box under N₂ 5.01 grams of the fluorided silica prepared in Example 4 was transferred to a 250 milliliter flask containing a bar magnet. In a 50 milliliter beaker 0.18 grams N,N′-diethylaniline, available from Aldrich Chemical Company, Milwaukee Wis. was diluted with 18.0 milliliters of dried and N₂ purged hexane. This solution was added slowly to the silica with stirring to form a thick slurry. The slurry was diluted with 5.0 milliliters of hexane and heat applied as stirring continued. At the end of 30 minutes the temperature was 40° C. 0.55 grams of tris-perfluorophenylborane, available from Boulder Scientific Company, Mead, Colo. was added and the stirring—heating continued. After an additional 60 minutes the temperature was constant at 50° C. 0.08 grams of rac-dimethylsilandiylbis(2-methyl-4-phenyl-1-indenyl) zirconium dimethyl was added and the stirring—heating continued. After 120 minutes heating was stopped and the slurry was permitted to settle. The supernatant was removed and the solids were dried under vacuum. Heat was applied as the catalyst dried until a final temperature of 30° C. was held for 60 minutes. The dried catalyst was 5.84 grams of a finely divided, free flowing solid. Elemental analysis showed 0.22% B and 0.21% Zr. 101.6 milligram of the solid gave 155.3 grams polypropylene in 60 minutes. Productivity was 1529 g PP/g catalyst. Activity was 66.4 Kg PP/millimole Zr. Analysis showed the polymer to have the following properties: 529068 g/mole MW and 2.35 dispersity.

Example 29

102.5 milligrams of the catalyst prepared in Example 28 was charged to the polymerization reactor containing hydrogen. 237.0 grams polypropylene was prepared in 60 minutes. Productivity was 2312 g PP/g catalyst. Activity was 100.4 Kg PP/millimole Zr. Analysis showed the polymer to have the following properties: 474587 g/mole MW and 2.48 dispersity.

Comparative Example 15

In a manner similar to Example 28 a catalyst was prepared except the silica of Comparative Example 3 was used. The dried catalyst was 5.90 grams of a finely divided, free flowing solid. Elemental analysis showed 0.19% B and 0.18% Zr. 100.1 milligram of the solid gave 22.0 grams polypropylene in 60 minutes. Productivity was 220 g PP/g catalyst. Activity was 11.1 Kg PP/millimole Zr. Analysis showed the polymer to have the following properties: 579479 g/mole MW and 2.40 dispersity.

Comparative Example 16

105.1 milligrams of the catalyst prepared in Comparative Example 15 was charged to the polymerization reactor containing hydrogen. 120.7 grams polypropylene was prepared in 60 minutes. Productivity was 1148 g PP/g catalyst. Activity was 58.2 Kg PP/millimole Zr. Analysis showed the polymer to have the following properties: 529068 g/mole MW and 2.35 dispersity.

Comparison of the results detailed above shows that the dehydrated fluorided silica catalyst has on average about 380 percent more activity on a Zr basis than the dehydrated silica catalyst.

The following examples show that metallocene catalysts prepared with a non-coordinating anion and using other dehydrated fluorided silicas as the support also show high activity compared to the similar catalysts prepared using dehydrated silicas.

Example 30

In the dry box under N₂ 5.00 grams of the fluorided silica prepared in Example 2 was transferred to a 250 milliliter flask containing a bar magnet. In a 50 milliliter beaker 0.18 grams N,N′-diethylaniline, available from Aldrich Chemical Company, Milwaukee Wis. was diluted with 18.0 milliliters of dried and N₂ purged hexane was added. This solution was added slowly to the silica with stirring to form a thick slurry. The slurry was diluted with 5.0 milliliters of hexane and heat applied as stirring continued. At the end of 30 minutes the temperature was 40° C. 0.55 grams of tris-perfluorophenylborane, available from Boulder Scientific Company, Mead, Colo. was added and the stirring—heating continued. After an additional 60 minutes the temperature was constant at 50° C. 0.08 grams of rac-dimethylsilandiylbis(2-methyl-4-phenyl-1-indenyl) zirconium dimethyl was added and the stirring—heating continued. After 120 minutes heating was stopped and the slurry was permitted to settle. The supernatant was removed and the solids were dried under vacuum. Heat was applied as the catalyst dried until a final temperature of 30° C. was held for 60 minutes. The dried catalyst was 5.69 grams of a finely divided, free flowing solid. Elemental analysis showed 0.22% B and 0.18% Zr.

Examples 31 through 39

In a manner similar to Example 30 catalysts were prepared on other 500° C. fluorided silicas. The details are shown in Table 4. The polymerization results are shown in Tables 5 and 6.

TABLE 4 Catalysts Prepared on 500° C. Fluorided Silicas Fluorided Catalyst Silica Loading¹ Elemental Analysis Example Example B Zr % B % Zr 31 3 0.21 0.026 0.18 0.18 32 5 ″ ″ 0.18 0.17 33 6 ″ ″ n.d. n.d. 34 7 ″ ″ 0.16 0.12 35 8 0.22 0.028 0.37 0.22 36 8 0.13 0.027 0.35 0.21 37 11 0.21 ″ 0.19 0.19 38 11 0.13 ″ 0.13 0.22 39 14 0.21 0.026 0.23 0.24 ¹units are millimole reagent per gram of silica

TABLE 5 Polymerization Results for Catalyst on 500° C. Fluorided Silicas Catalyst Productivity Activity Example (g PP/g Catalyst-Hr) (Kg PP/mM Zr-Hr) 31 555 24.8 32 3267 136.5 33 723 30.6 34 49 2.1 35 3330 133.3 36 3258 135.4 37 780 33.4 38 490 20.5 39 725 32.9

TABLE 6 Polymerization Results for Catalyst on 500° C. Fluorided Silicas¹ Catalyst Productivity Activity Example (g PP/g Catalyst-Hr) (Kg PP/mM Zr-Hr) 31 2083 93.1 32 3353 140.1 33 919 38.8 34 365 15.5 35 5180 207.3 36 3496 145.3 37 2004 85.8 38 1820 76.0 39 2435 110.7 ¹hydrogen added to the reactor

Examples 40 through 47

In a manner similar to Example 30 catalysts were prepared on other 300° C. The details are shown in Table 7. The polymerization results are shown in Table 8 and 9.

TABLE 7 Catalysts Prepared on 300° C. Fluorided Silicas Fluorided Catalyst Silica Loading¹ Elemental Analysis Example Example B Zr % B % Zr 40 17 0.21 0.026 0.20 0.22 41 18 ″ ″ 0.18 0.20 42 16 ″ 0.027 0.22 0.19 43 16 0.13 ″ 0.11 0.19 44 19 0.21 ″ 0.21 0.20 45 20 ″ ″ 0.13 0.16 46 20 0.13 ″ 0.09 0.20 47 21 0.21 0.026 0.37 0.21 ¹units are millimole reagent per gram of silica

TABLE 8 Polymerization Results for Catalysts on 300° C. Fluorided Silicas Catalyst Productivity Activity Example (g PP/g Catalyst-Hr) (Kg PP/mM Zr-Hr) 40 310 13.4 41 1041 45.2 42 511 22.0 43 615 25.3 44 2655 113.5 45 2897 119.7 46 1927 77.0 47 428 18.6

TABLE 9 Polymerization Results for Catalysts on 300° C. Fluorided Silicas¹ Catalyst Productivity Activity Example (g PP/g Catalyst-Hr) (Kg PP/mM Zr-Hr) 40 1150 49.8 41 1125 48.8 42 1433 61.6 43 1172 48.2 44 2603 111.2 45 3060 126.4 46 2603 111.2 47 1137 49.4 ¹hydrogen added to the reactor

Comparative Examples 17 through 23

In a manner similar to Example 30 catalysts were prepared except dehydrated silicas were used. The details are shown in Table 10. The polymerization results are shown in Tables 11 and 12.

TABLE 10 Catalysts Prepared on Dehydrated Silicas Catalyst Dehydrated Comp. Silica Loading¹ Elemental Analysis Example Comp. Example B Zr % B % Zr 17 1 0.12 0.014 0.14 0.11 18 2 0.43 0.027 0.35 0.19 19 2 0.21 ″ 0.21 0.22 20 3 ″ 0.026 0.19 0.18 21 3 0.13 0.027 0.11 0.20 22 5 0.21 0.026 0.21 0.22 23 5 0.13 0.027 0.11 0.21 ¹units are millimole reagent per gram of silica

TABLE 11 Polymerization Results for Catalysts on Dehydrated Silicas Catalyst Comp. Productivity Activity Example (g PP/g Catalyst-Hr) (Kg PP/mM Zr-Hr) 18 400 19.4 19 258 11.3 20 220 9.6 21 165 7.0 22 144 6.4 23 85 3.7

TABLE 12 Polymerization Results for Catalysts on Dehydrated Silicas¹ Catalyst Comp. Productivity Activity Example (g PP/g Catalyst-Hr) (Kg PP/mM Zr-Hr) 17 504 41.8 18 357 17.1 19 621 27.2 20 1148 52.0 21 768 32.4 22 495 22.1 23 541 23.5 ¹hydrogen added to the reactor

The following example shows that a metallocene catalyst prepared with a non-coordinating anion on a chemically dehydrated silica does not have the high activity of a similar catalyst prepared on a fluorided dehydrated silica.

Comparative Example 24

In a manner similar to Example 30 catalyst was prepared except the hexamethyldisilazane treated silica of Comparative Example 6 was used. The dried catalyst was 6.70 grams of a finely divided, free flowing solid. Elemental analysis showed 0.29% B and 0.17% Zr. 100.8 milligram of the solid gave 6.7 grams polypropylene in 60 minutes. Productivity was 66.5 g PP/g catalyst. Activity was 3.6 Kg PP/millimole Zr.

The following example shows that a metallocene catalyst prepared with a non-coordinating anion on an alternately fluorided silica does not have the high activity of a similar catalyst prepared on a fluorided dehydrated silica.

Comparative Example 25

In a manner similar to Example 30 catalyst was prepared except the dimethylamine sulfur trifluoride treated silica of Comparative Example 7 was used. The dried catalyst was 5.36 grams of a finely divided, free flowing solid. Elemental analysis showed 0.095% B and 0.096% Zr. 98.7 milligram of the solid was added to the polymerization reactor to test activity. The solid was inactive for propylene polymerization.

The following examples show that metallocene catalysts prepared with a non-coordinating anion on a dehydrated silica halogenated with the congeners of fluorine do not have the high activity of a similar catalyst prepared on a dehydrated fluorided silica.

Comparative Example 26

In a manner similar to Example 30 catalyst was prepared except the ammonium chloride halogenated silica of Comparative Example 8 was used. The dried catalyst was 5.52 grams of a finely divided, free flowing solid. Elemental analysis showed 0.12% B and 0.11% Zr. 99.3 milligram of the solid was added to the polymerization reactor to test activity. The solid was inactive for propylene polymerization.

Comparative Example 27

In a manner similar to Example 30 catalyst was prepared except the ammonium bromide halogenated silica of Comparative Example 9 was used. The dried catalyst was 5.61 grams of a finely divided, free flowing solid. Elemental analysis showed 0.11% B and 0.16% Zr. 99.7 milligram of the solid was added to the polymerization reactor to test activity. The solid was inactive for propylene polymerization.

The following Examples show that the advantages of using fluorided silica as a catalyst support are not lost or diminished when larger quantities are fluorided nor is the high activity of the resulting catalysts compromised when a continuous polymerization process is used.

Example 48

A fluorided silica was prepared by Grace Davison from Sylopol®9522 and ammonium hexafluorosilicate according to the procedure of Example 1. Elemental analysis showed the fluorine content to be 1.49±0.06% by weight. Moreover the fluorided silica gel had the following properties: 1.69 cc/g pore volume, 256 m²/g surface area and 35 microns average particle size. In the dry box under N₂ 401 grams of this silica was transferred to a 4 liter flask. 6.4 grams N,N′-diethylaniline was combined with 1542 grams dried and N₂ sparged hexane. All the liquid was added to the silica. The slurry was mechanically stirred and heat applied. After 30 minutes 21.61 grams tris-perfluorophenylborane was added. After 60 minutes 3.20 grams of rac-dimethylsilandiylbis(2-methyl-4-phenyl-1-indenyl) zirconium dimethyl was added. The slurry temperature was 50° C. During the next 120 minutes stirring continued and a final temperature of 51° C. was reached. At this time heating was stopped and the slurry was permitted to settle. The clear, colorless supernatant was removed and found to have less than 4 PPM Zirconium or Boron and 6 PPM N. The total amount of supernatant removed before drying was 575.4 grams. The solids were dried under vacuum. Heat was applied as the catalyst dried until the free flowing solid was held at a final temperature of 30° C. for 120 minutes. The dried catalyst was 423.8 grams. Elemental analysis showed 0.101% B and 0.114% Zr. 102.6 milligram of the solid was charged to the polymerization batch reactor at 70° C. along with about 5 millimole H₂. Yield was 199 grams polypropylene in 35 minutes. Productivity per hour was 3326 g PP/g catalyst. Activity per hour was 266 Kg PP/millimole Zr. Analysis showed the polymer to have the following properties: 0.42 g/ml apparent density, 352052 g/mole MW and 2.34 dispersity.

Example 48A

Continuous Polymerization

The polymerization was conducted in liquid propylene, in a pilot scale polymerization process employing two reactors in series. The reactors were equipped with jackets for removing the heat of polymerization. The reactor temperature was set at 74° C. in the first reactor and 68° C. in the second reactor. The catalyst prepared as described above was fed at a rate of 1-2 g/hr. A1 wt % TEAL in hexane solution was fed at a rate of 4-5 cc/min. Propylene was fed at a rate of about 80 kg/hr to the first reactor and about 27 kg/hr to the second reactor. Hydrogen concentration in the first reactor was 1000 mppm and 1300 mppm in the second. Residence times were about 2.5 hours in the first reactor and about 1.9 hours in the second reactor. The production rate of polymer from the reactors was about 40 kg/hr. Catalyst Productivity was calculated from the total weight of polymer made and the total weight of catalyst used. Productivity for Catalyst of Example 48 was 20.5 Kg/g catalyst and activity was 1639 Kg/millimole Zr. The polymer was discharged from the reactors as a granular product having the following properties: 2.62 MFR, apparent density of 0.46 g/cm³ and average particle size of 999.3 microns.

Examples 49 through 52

Examples 49 through 52 were generated in a manner similar to the continuous polymerization described in Example 48A, except that polymerization was allowed to occur at various levels of hydrogen. The data are shown in Table 13.

TABLE 13 Continuous Polymerization Results for Catalyst Example 48 H₂ H₂ Ex- Reactor Reactor am- 1 2 Productivity AD APS ple (mppm)¹ (mppm) (Kg/g catalyst) MFR (g/cm³) (microns) 49 2200 2900 27.0 17.4 0.45 981.2 50 2500 3150 25.8 25.8 0.47 1001.0 51 4400 5050 22.0 172.5 0.45 925.5 52 7300 8800 15.2 1324 0.45 848.0 ¹molar parts per million. The following Examples show that the advantages of using fluorided silica as a catalyst support are reproducible.

Example 53

A second fluorided silica was prepared by Grace Davison from Sylopol®9522 and ammonium hexafluorosilicate according to the heat schedule of Example 1. Elemental analysis showed the fluorine content to be 2.35±0.05% by weight. The fluorided silica gel had the following properties: 1.62 cc/g pore volume, 243 m²/g surface area and 39 microns average particle size. In the dry box under N₂ 465.4 grams of this silica was transferred to a 4 liter flask. 7.5 grams N,N′-diethylaniline was combined with 1800 grams dried and N₂ sparged hexane. All the liquid was added to the silica. The slurry was mechanically stirred and heat applied. At the 30 minute mark the temperature was 50.8° C. and 25.2 grams tris-perfluorophenylborane was added. After 60 minutes the temperature was 53° C. and 3.70 grams of rac-dimethylsilandiylbis(2-methyl-4-phenyl-1-indenyl) zirconium dimethyl was added. During the next 120 minutes stirring continued and a final temperature of 55° C. was reached. At this time heating was stopped and the slurry was permitted to settle. The clear, colorless supernatant was removed and found to weigh 404.7 grams. The solids were dried under vacuum. Heat was applied as the catalyst dried until the free flowing solid was held at a final temperature of 35° C. for 120 minutes. The dried catalyst was 486.93 grams. Elemental analysis showed 0.10% B and 0.11% Zr.

Examples 54 through 58

Using the supported catalyst of Example 53, a series of batch polymerization runs were made as described in Example 48. The results are shown in Table 14.

TABLE 14 Batch Polymerization Results for Catalyst Example 53¹ Time Productivity/Hr AD APS Example (hr) (Kg/g catalyst-hr) MFR (g/cm³) (microns) 54 0.5 5305 n.d.² 0.34 849 55 1.0 4917 97 0.41 570 56 1.0 5146 88 0.40 678 57 1.0 6012 14 0.38 734 58 2.0 3466 53 0.40 702 ¹Hydrogen added to the reactor

Examples 59 through 62

Using the supported catalyst described in Example 53, a series of continuous polymerization runs, as described in Example 48A, were made. The data are shown in Table 15.

TABLE 15 Continuous Polymerization Results for Catalyst Example 53 H₂ H₂ Productivity Activity Reactor 1 Reactor 2 (Kg/g (Kg/mM AD APS Example (mppm)¹ (mppm) catalyst) Zr) MFR (g/cm³) (microns) 59 2500 3200 46.3 3880.7 11.4 0.43 1219 60 2600 3600 55.0 4601.9 15.8 0.47 1019 61 3300 3800 44.8 3748.9 27.8 0.46 1077 62 3700 4300 46.2 3872.1 37.1 0.47 1144 ¹molar parts per million. Discussion

Although the above Examples deal primarily with metallocene supported catalyst composition, it will be recognized that the attributes of the polymers produced by the metallocene supported catalyst composition of the present invention will lend themselves to use in end-product applications. Examples of such end-product applications include, articles made from films, thermoforming and blow molding, fibers, such as meltblown fibers and spunbond fibers, and fabrics.

While the present invention has been described and illustrated by reference to particular embodiments, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention lends itself to many different variations not illustrated herein. For these reasons, then, reference should be made solely to the appended claims for purposes of determining the true scope of the present invention.

Although the appendant claims have single appendencies in accordance with U.S. patent practice, each of the features in any of the appendant claims can be combined with each of the features of other appendant claims or the main claim. 

1. An olefin polymerization method comprising the steps of contacting a polymerizable olefin with a supported catalyst composition, said supported catalyst composition comprising one or more fluorided supports, one or more metallocenes, and one or more activators selected from highly fluorinated tris-arylboranes, characterized in that the degree of fluoridation of the support allows association between the fluorided support and one or more activators such that when contacted with one or more metallocenes and α-olefin monomers, the supported catalyst composition exhibits a productivity of from 919 to 6012 g polymer/g metallocene·hr.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the activity of the composition is from 38.8 to 207.3 kg polymer/mM metallocene·hr.
 3. The method of claim 1, the support having a fluorine concentration is in the range of from 0.01 to 10.0 millimoles of fluorine per gram of support.
 4. The method of claim 1, the support having a fluorine concentration is in the range of from 0.6 to 3.5 wt % of the support.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more activators are selected from alkylalumoxanes (MAO), non-coordinating anions, and activator anion neutral precursors, and combinations thereof.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more activators is selected from highly fluorinated tris-arylborane compounds and mixtures thereof.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the activator is selected from the group consisting of tris-perfluorophenyl borane, trisperfluoronaphthyl borane, trisperfluorobiphenyl borane, tris(3,5-di(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)borane, tris(di-t-butylmethylsilyl)perfluorophenylborane, and mixtures thereof.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more metallocenes is represented by the following:

wherein M is a metal of Group 4, 5, or 6 of the Periodic Table; R¹ and R² are identical or different, and are one of a hydrogen atom, a C₁-C₁₀ alkyl group, a C₁-C₁₀ alkoxy group, a C₆-C₁₀ aryl group, a C₆-C₁₀ aryloxy group, a C₂-C₁₀ alkenyl group, a C₇-C₄₀ arylalkyl group, a C₇-C₄₀ alkylaryl group, a C₈-C₄₀ arylalkenyl group, or a halogen atom; R⁵ and R⁶ are identical or different, are one of a halogen atom, a C₁-C₁₀ alkyl group, which may be halogenated, a C₆-C₁₀ aryl group, which may be halogenated, a C₂-C₁₀ alkenyl group, a C₇-C₄₀-arylalkyl group, a C₇-C₄₀ alkylaryl group, a C₈-C₄₀ arylalkenyl group, a —NR₂ ¹⁵, —SR¹⁵, —OR¹⁵, —OSiR₃ ¹⁵ or —PR₂ ¹⁵ radical, wherein R¹⁵ is one of a halogen atom, a C₁-C₁₀ alkyl group, or a C₆-C₁₀ aryl group; R⁷ is

wherein R¹¹, R¹² and R¹³ are identical or different and are a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a C₁-C₂₀ alkyl group, a C₁-C₂₀ fluoroalkyl group, a C₆-C₃₀ aryl group, a C₆-C₃₀ fluoroaryl group, a C₁-C₂₀ alkoxy group, a C₂-C₂₀ alkenyl group, a C₇-C₄₀ arylalkyl group, a C₈-C₄₀ arylalkenyl group, or a C₇-C₄₀ alkylaryl group; and wherein R¹¹ and R¹², or R¹¹ and R¹³, together with the atoms binding them, can form ring systems; M² is silicon, germanium or tin; R⁸ and R⁹ are identical or different and have the meanings stated for R¹¹; m and n are identical or different and are zero, 1 or 2, m plus n being zero, 1 or 2; and the radicals R³, R⁴, and R¹⁰ are identical or different and have the meanings stated for R¹¹, R¹² and R¹³.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more metallocenes is selected from the group consisting of Dimethylsilandiylbis (2-methyl-4-phenyl-1-indenyl) zirconium dimethyl; Dimethylsilandiylbis(2-methyl-4,5-benzoindenyl) zirconium dimethyl; Dimethylsilandiylbis(2-methyl-4,6-diisopropylindenyl) zirconium dimethyl; Dimethylsilandiylbis(2-ethyl-4-phenyl-1-indenyl) zirconium dimethyl; Dimethylsilandiylbis(2-ethyl-4-naphthyl-1-indenyl) zirconium dimethyl; Dimethylsilandiylbis(2-methyl-4-(1-naphthyl)-1-indenyl) zirconium dimethyl; Dimethylsilandiylbis(2-methyl-4-(2-naphthyl)-1-indenyl) zirconium dimethyl; Dimethylsilandiylbis(2-methyl-indenyl) zirconium dimethyl; Dimethylsilandiylbis(2-methyl-4,5-diisopropyl-1-indenyl) zirconium dimethyl; Dimethylsilandiylbis(2,4,6-trimethyl-1-indenyl) zirconium dimethyl; Dimethylsilandiylbis(2-methyl-1-indenyl) zirconium dimethyl; Dimethylsilandiylbis(2-ethyl-1-indenyl) zirconium dimethyl; Dimethylsilandiylbis(2,5,6-trimethyl-1-indenyl) zirconium dimethyl; Dimethylsilandiylbis(2-methyl-4-phenyl-1-indenyl) zirconium dichloride; Dimethylsilandiylbis(2-methyl-4,5benzoindenyl) zirconium dichloride; Dimethylsilandiylbis(2-methyl-4,6-diisopropylindenyl) zirconium dichloride; Dimethylsilandiylbis(2-ethyl-4-naphthyl-1-indenyl) zirconium dichloride; Dimethylsilandiylbis(2-ethyl-4-naphthyl-1-indenyl) zirconium dichloride, Dimethylsilandiylbis(2-methyl-4-(1-naphthyl)-1-indenyl) zirconium dichloride; Dimethylsilandiylbis(2-methyl-4-(2-naphthyl)-1-indenyl) zirconium dichloride; Dimethylsilandiylbis(2-methyl-indenyl) zirconium dichloride; Dimethylsilandiylbis(2-methyl-4,5-diisopropyl-1-indenyl) zirconium dichloride; Dimethylsilandiylbis(2,4,6-trimethyl-1-indenyl) zirconium dichloride; Dimethylsilandiylbis(2-methyl-1-indenyl) zirconium dichloride; Dimethylsilandiylbis(2-ethyl-1-indenyl) zirconium dichloride, and Dimethylsilandiylbis(2,5,6-trimethyl-1-indenyl) zirconium dichloride, and mixtures thereof.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the fluorided support is selected from the group consisting of talc, clay, silica, alumina, magnesia zirconia, iron oxides, boria, calcium oxide, zinc oxide, barium oxide thoria, aluminum phosphate gel, polyvinylchloride or substituted polystyrene, and mixtures thereof.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the supported catalyst composition exhibits a productivity of from 919 to 5180 g polymer/g metallocene·hr.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the supported catalyst composition exhibits a productivity of from 1125 to 6012 g polymer/g metallocene·hr.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the supported catalyst composition exhibits a productivity of from 1125 to 5180 g polymer/g metallocene·hr.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the α-olefin monomers are propylene.
 15. The method of claim 1, wherein a support and a fluoriding agent are contacted with one another at from 200° C. to 600° C. to produce the fluorided support.
 16. A polyolefin produced by the method of claim
 1. 17. An olefin polymerization method comprising the steps of contacting a polymerizable olefin with a supported catalyst composition comprising a fluorided support end at least one highly fluorinated tris-arylborane bound to the fluorided support.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the at least one highly fluorinated tris-arylborane is selected from the group consisting of tris-perfluorophenyl borane, trisperfluoronaphthyl borane, trisperfluorobiphenyl borane, tris(3,5-di(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)borane, tris(di-t-butylmethylsilyl)perfluorophenylborane, and mixtures thereof.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the support comprises at least one metallocene represented by the following:

wherein M is titanium, zirconium, or hafnium; R¹ and R² are identical or different, and are one of a hydrogen atom, a C₁-C₁₀ alkyl group, a C₁-C₁₀ alkoxy group, a C₆-C₁₀ aryl group, a C₆-C₁₀ aryloxy group, a C₂-C₁₀ alkenyl group, a C₇-C₄₀ arylalkyl group, a C₇-C₄₀ alkylaryl group, a C₈-C₄₀ arylalkenyl group, or a halogen atom; R⁵ and R⁶ are identical or different, are one of a halogen atom, a C₁-C₁₀ alkyl group, which may be halogenated, a C₆-C₁₀ aryl group, which may be halogenated, a C₂-C₁₀ alkenyl group, a C₇-C₄₀ -arylalkyl group, a C₇-C₄₀ alkylaryl group, a C₈-C₄₀ arylalkenyl group, a -NR₂ ¹⁵, —SR¹⁵, —OR¹⁵, —OSiR₃ ¹⁵ or —PR₂ ¹⁵ radical, wherein R¹⁵ is one of a halogen atom, a C₁-C₁₀ alkyl group, or a C₆-C₁₀ aryl group;

wherein R¹¹, R¹² and R¹³ are identical or different and are a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a C₁-C₂₀ alkyl group, a C₁-C₂₀ fluoroalkyl group, a C₆-C₃₀ aryl group, a C₆-C₃₀ fluoroaryl group, a C₁-C₂₀ alkoxy group, a C₂-C₂₀ alkenyl group, a C₇-C₄₀ arylalkyl group, a C₈-C₄₀ arylalkenyl group, or a C₇-C₄₀ alkylaryl group; and wherein R¹¹ and R¹², or R¹¹ and R¹³, together with the atoms binding them, can form ring systems; M² is silicon, germanium or tin; R⁸ and R⁹ are identical or different and have the meanings stated for R¹¹; m and n are identical or different and are zero, 1 or 2, m plus n being zero, 1 or 2; and the radicals R³, R⁴, and R¹⁰ are identical or different and have the meanings stated for R¹¹, R¹² and R¹³.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein R₁ and R₂ are methyl groups.
 21. The method of claim 17, having a fluorine concentration is in the range of from 0.01 to 10.0 millimoles of fluorine per gram of support.
 22. The method of claim 17, having a fluorine concentration is in the range of from 0.6 to 3.5 wt % of the support.
 23. The method of claim 17, wherein the fluorided support is selected from the group consisting of fluorided talc, clay, silica, alumina, magnesia, zirconia, iron oxides, boria, calcium oxide, zinc oxide, barium oxide thoria, aluminum phosphate gel, polyvinylchloride or substituted polystyrene, and mixtures thereof.
 24. The method claim 17, wherein the support and a fluoriding agent are contacted with one another at from 100° C. to 1000° C. to produce the fluorided support.
 25. The method of claim 17, wherein a support and a fluoriding agent are contacted with one another at from 200° C. to 600° C. to produce the fluorided support.
 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the fluoriding agent is selected from the group consisting of NH₄BF₄, (NH₄)₂SiF₆, NH₄PF₆, NH₄F, (NH₄)₂TaF₇, NH₄NbF₄, (NH₄)GeF₆, (NH₄)₂SmF₆, (NH₄)₂TiF₆, (NH₄)₂ZrF ₆, MoF₆, ReF₆, GaF₃, SO₂ClF, F₂, SiF₄, SF₆, ClF₃, ClF₅, BrF₅, lF₇, NF₃, HF, BF₃, NHF₂ and NH₄HF₂ and mixtures thereof.
 27. The method of claim 17, wherein the supported catalyst composition exhibits a productivity of from 919 to 5180 g polymer/g metallocene·hr.
 28. The method of claim 17, wherein the supported catalyst composition exhibits a productivity of from 1125 to 6012 g polymer/g metallocene·hr.
 29. The method of claim 17, wherein the supported catalyst composition exhibits a productivity of from 1125 to 5180 g polymer/g metallocene·hr.
 30. A polyolefin produced by the method of claim
 17. 31. An olefin polymerization method comprising the steps of contacting a polymerizable olefin with a supported catalyst composition, said supported catalyst composition consisting essentially of one or more fluorided supports, one or more metallocenes, and alkylalumoxanes (MAO) characterized in that the degree of fluoridation of the support allows association between the fluorided support and MAO such that when contacted with one or more metallocenes and α-olefin monomers, the supported catalyst composition exhibits a productivity of from 919 to 6012 g polymer/g metallocene·hr.
 32. An olefin polymerization method comprising the stops of contacting a polymerizable olefin with a supported catalyst composition, said supported catalyst composition consisting essentially of one or more fluorided supports, one or more metallocenes, and one or more non-coordinating anions, characterized in that the degree of fluoridation of the support allows association between the fluorided support and non-coordinating anions such that when contacted with one or more metallocenes and α-olefin monomers, the supported catalyst composition exhibits a productivity of from 919 to 6012 g polymer/g metallocene·hr.
 33. An olefin polymerization method comprising the steps or contacting a polymerizable olefin with a supported catalyst composition, said supported catalyst composition consisting essentially of one or more fluorided supports, one or more metallocenes, and activator anion neutral precursors, characterized in that the degree of fluoridation of the support allows association between the fluorided support and activator anion neutral precursors such that when contacted with one or more metallocenes and α-olefin monomers, the supported catalyst composition exhibits a productivity of from 919 to 6012 g polymer/g metallocene.
 34. An olefin polymerization method comprising the steps of contacting a polymerizable olefin with a supported catalyst composition, said supported catalyst composition consisting essentially of one or more fluorided supports, one or more metallocenes, and one or more highly fluorinated tris-arylboranes, characterized in that the degree of fluoridation of the support allows association between the fluorided support and non-coordinating anions such that when contacted with one or more metallocenes and α-olefin monomers, the supported catalyst composition exhibits a productivity of from 919 to 6012 g polymer/g metallocene·hr. 